Council committee advances ordinance to expand downtown DORA after Main Street survey

Main Street Barberton told council on March 10 that local businesses largely support expanding Barberton's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) and asked the city to amend ordinance 98-2022 to extend DORA days.

Melanie, a Main Street Barberton representative, presented results of surveys to businesses that currently participate in the DORA and to over 50 non-alcohol retail and service businesses downtown. Main Street reported that 8 of 9 liquor establishments responded to its survey: 87% found DORA beneficial to their business and 62% reported DORA had increased alcohol sales. A separate survey of more than 50 non-alcohol downtown businesses produced 22 responses; 95.5% said DORA had not negatively affected their business.

Main Street recommended extending DORA days to Monday through Saturday, and reported the city placed 30 new trash cans downtown (and added five more) to manage increased litter, including DORA cups. The presenter said the city and Main Street both maintain webpages and business-facing materials explaining DORA rules, and Main Street produced a three-minute employee-education video provided to establishments.

Council members and staff asked operational questions about boundaries, the honky club (now inside the DORA area), and policing. Council Member Gerhardt noted an issue at concerts where patrons took DORA cups past the DORA boundary toward the gazebo, and suggested clearer signage and temporary trash cans at events; Safety Director and Lieutenant White were consulted and confirmed this could be addressed operationally.

The Rosemarking Development committee voted to call for legislation to amend the ordinance's posting places (removing Leeches, Giant Eagle and North End Fire Station; adding Barberton YMCA, the Active Adult Center and the city website) and to amend the DORA days; Council member Heideck abstained from the committee vote on one motion due to his employment with Green Diamond.

The committee chair noted that cities of comparable size in Ohio commonly operate DORAs six days a week and that Main Street's outreach and city coordination supported expanding the program.

Ending: The committee referred the requested DORA ordinance language to the full council for formal readings and ordinance drafting. If adopted, businesses will continue to have discretion to opt out and post a red/green marker at their entrance indicating whether they allow DORA cups inside.